Diacylglycerol, DAG, because of its multifunctional and nutritional properties, attracted considerable attention recently. Enzymatic synthesis of diacylglycerols from linoleic acid was investigated in a solvent-free reaction in a continuously operated fixed bed reactors containing Lipozyme RM IM. By appropriate manipulation of the fluid-residence time, the relative proportions of the various acylglycerols in the effluent stream can be controlled. In addition, the presence of excess glycerol is effective for the removal of water produced during the esterification reactions. Under the conditions of molar ratio of linoleic acid to glycerol of 0.5, the immoblized enzyme maintained high stability and allowed the reaction to continue for 10 days without significant deterioration in enzyme activity. It was determined that the conversion of fatty acid, content of 1,3-DAG and volume efficiency of reactor reached optima under the conditions: a packaged-bed reactor(with a ratio of packed length to inner diameter of 7.8), reacting temperature at 65 degrees C, molar ratio of linoleic acid to glycerol of 0.5, and feeding flow rate of 1.2 mL/min.
Catalysis ; Diglycerides ; chemical synthesis ; Enzyme Stability ; Enzymes, Immobilized ; chemistry ; Lipase ; chemistry

In this study, it is to compare the effectiveness of prevention against and treatment of doxorubicin (DOX) induced cardiotoxicity by dexrazoxane and schisandrin B (Sch B) in rats. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into the following 6 groups: normal saline group, DOX group, DOX+DEX group, DOX+Sch B (80 mg x kg(-1)) group, DOX+Sch B (40 mg x kg(-1)) group and DOX+Sch B (20 mg x kg(-1)) group. The results showed that Sch B could combat the increase of myocardial enzymes in peripheral blood, decrease of the enzyme activity of myocardial tissue antioxidant enzymes and disorders of systolic and diastolic function of heart in rats intravenously injected with doxorubicin (15 mg x kg(-1)). Sch B was better than DEX in protecting rat against DOX-induced the symptoms. Sch B could protect rat against DOX-induced acute cardiomyopathy and has clinical potential applications.
Animals ; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic ; adverse effects ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Cardiomyopathies ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Cardiotoxicity ; drug therapy ; Cyclooctanes ; therapeutic use ; Dexrazoxane ; therapeutic use ; Doxorubicin ; adverse effects ; Heart ; physiopathology ; Lignans ; therapeutic use ; Myocardium ; enzymology ; Polycyclic Compounds ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective: To observe the effects of acupoints, cone numbers and durations of moxibustion with different moxibustion methods on skin surface and inside temperature, and to provide references for the clinical standardization of moxibustion amount. Methods: The 42 big-ear white rabbits were divided into 6 groups according to the random number table method, a 1-cone direct moxibustion group, a 2-cone direct moxibustion group, a 3-cone direct moxibustion group, a 1-cone herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group, a 2-cone herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group, and a 3-cone herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group, with 7 rabbits in each group. Shenque (CV 8), Shenshu (BL 23) and Zusanli (ST 36) were used in each group, but the moxibustion methods, cone numbers and durations of moxibustion were different. Rabbits in each group received moxibustion once every other day for 5 times in total. During the intervention, a thermoelectricity coupled probe and a temperature recorder were used to record the real-time acupoint skin temperature and the temperature at different time points, so as to observe, analyze and process the real-time changes in the temperature difference between the surface and inside of acupoint skin. Results: For herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion, the best temperature for cone changing was (46.38±0.51) ℃ when the highest surface temperature was (49.20±0.52) ℃; the multi-factor comparison of acupoint × cone number × time and acupoint × moxibustion method × time showed that time × acupoint, time × moxibustion method and cone number × acupoint had interactive effects (all P<0.05). Comparing skin temperature differences between different cone numbers at the same acupoint, Shenque (CV 8) on the 1st and the 5th days, Shenshu (BL 23) on the 3rd and the 7th days, Zusanli (ST 36) on the 1st and the 9th days of experiment showed statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). The skin temperature comparison of different moxibustion methods at the same acupoint all had statistical differences (all P<0.05), except for Shenque (CV 8) before moxibustion, Shenshu (BL 23) before moxibustion and on the 5th day; Zusanli (ST 36) only showed statistical differences on the 5th and 7th days (both P<0.05). The skin temperature differences of different acupoints after moxibustion in the 1-cone, 2-cone and 3-cone groups were statistically different (all P<0.05); direct moxibustion and herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion at different acupoints were all statistically different (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Cone changing temperature under the same specifications of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion was confirmed. Temperature difference between surface and inside of different acupoint skin at the same maximum temperature was significantly different due to the cone numbers and moxibustion methods, which showed the highest at Shenshu (BL 23), the second at Shenque (CV 8), and the lowest at Zusanli (ST 36). The influence of acupoint factor should be considered to determine the quantitative indicators of moxibustion.

OBJECTIVETo assess the clinical effects of (125)I interstitial brachytherapy for malignant tumors.

METHODSOne hundred and twelve patients with malignant tumors of stage II stage and III under went radical resection combined with (125)I intraoperative implantation. Seven days and three month after operation WBC count and immune markers were observed. Blood biochemistry ultrasonography and X-ray were performed to observe recurrence and metastasis of tumors per three months.

RESULTSIn the 112 patients, 3 died of tumor recurrence in six months, and others survived with the longest time of 35 months.

CONCLUSION(125)I interstitial brachytherapy for malignant tumor is simple, safe and effective.

Adult ; Aged ; Brachytherapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Iodine Radioisotopes ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate magnetic resonance venography (MRV) in diagnosing obstructive interface morphology of Budd-Chiari syndrome(BCS).

METHODSMRV examination was performed on 44 cases of BCS, and the images of obstructive interface morphology of the inferior vena cava were reviewed by two radiologists.

RESULTSIn all 44 cases, there were 37 cases with complete obstruction and 7 with incomplete obstruction. MRV showed 4 cases with membrane with hole of incomplete obstruction. The morphologies MRV demonstrated that the proximal part of the 37 cases with complete obstruction were mainly divided into the cone type (36 cases) and the planum type (1 case). Besides, the type of distal end of obstruction were the cone type (30 cases), the planum type (4 cases) and the irregular type (3 cases). The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for the diagnosis of MRV were respectively 100%%, 57.1%, 92.5% and 100% as compared to the DSA.

CONCLUSIONThe examination of MRV is capable of revealing the obstructive interface morphology of the inferior vena cava, especially for the distal end of obstruction. MRV can provide guidelines in interventional treatment of Budd-Chiari syndrome.

Adult ; Aged ; Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; Budd-Chiari Syndrome ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Vena Cava, Inferior ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the killing effect of human herpes simplex virus-thymidine kinase/ganciclovir (HSV-TK/GCV) system combined with allitride and the possible apoptosis mechanism in BIU87 cells.

METHODSThe cytotoxicity after combination were estimated by theamine blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT). The morphological changes were observed with inverted microscope and in-situ cell apoptosis detection kit. Changes of apoptosis rate and cell cycle were assessed by flow cytometry. B-cell lymphoma-2 (bcl-2), bax, caspase-3 (cysteine aspartate specific proteinase) mRNA changes were detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, and caspase-3 activity was estimated with colorimetry.

RESULTSFor combination group, the cell killing rate was raised to 72.50% to compare with 35.00% of GCV and 37.00% of allitride separately and there was a synergistic effect between these two drugs. The cell apoptosis was induced in all three groups and for the combination group the time of S-phase and G(2)-phase arrest were earlier than other two groups. Both drugs could inhibit the expression of bcl-2 and promote the expression and activity of caspase-3.

CONCLUSIONSThe combination of HSV-TK/GCV system with allitride can inhibit the proliferation of BIU87 cells congenerously through apoptosis, which may be correlated with S- and G(2)-phase arrest, down-regulation of bcl-2 and increased caspase-3 expression and its activity.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Drug Synergism ; Ganciclovir ; pharmacology ; Genetic Therapy ; Herpesvirus 1, Human ; enzymology ; genetics ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Sulfinic Acids ; pharmacology ; Thymidine Kinase ; genetics ; Transfection ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo study the changes of serum leptin (LEP) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in children with congenital heart disease(CHD) and their roles in CHD.

METHODSForty-eight children with acyanotic CHD (ACHD group), 20 age-matched children with cyanotic CHD (CCHD group) and 20 healthy children (control group) were enrolled. The ACHD group was subdivided into two groups with (n=20) or without concurrent heart failure (n=28). Serum LEP, VEGF, total protein and albumin levels and body mass index (BMI) were measured.

RESULTSSerum total protein and albumin levels were not apparently different in all CHD children from healthy controls, but there was a significant difference in the BMI between them (p<0.01). Serum LEP and VEGF levels and the ratio of LEP/BMI in all CHD children were significantly higher than those in healthy controls (p<0.01). Compared with the ACHD group without heart failure, the serum LEP and VEGF levels and the ratio of LEP/BMI in the CCHD and the ACHD with heart failure groups increased significantly (p<0.01). In the ACHD group, serum LEP level was positively correlated with BMI (p<0.01). In the CCHD group, there were positive correlations between serum LEP level and serum VEGF level (p<0.01) and between hemoglobin concentration and serum VEGF level (p<0.01). Arterial oxygen saturation was negatively correlated with serum VEGF (p<0.01) and LEP levels (p<0.01) in the CCHD group.

CONCLUSIONSBoth VEGF and LEP play roles in the pathophisiological process of CHD. VEGF and LEP are associated with the development of heart failure in children with ACHD.

Body Mass Index ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; blood ; Hemoglobins ; analysis ; Humans ; Infant ; Leptin ; blood ; Male ; Oxygen ; blood ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mutation of 5' non-coding region of bcl-6 gene in germinal center B-cell (GCB) subtype of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

METHODSt(14;18) detection and immunohistochemical staining (EnVision method) were performed in 60 cases of DLBCL, which were divided into GCB and non-GCB subtypes. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), single-strand conformation polymorphism and direct DNA sequencing were used to identify mutations in the 5' non-coding region of the bcl-6 gene.

RESULTSSeven of 60 cases showed t(14;18) translocation in the major breakpoint region. Using minimally acceptable criteria, 18 of 60 cases were probably to be germinal centre derived. Bcl-6 mutations were detected in 12 of 60 cases (20.0%) of DLBCL, with a significantly higher frequency in the GCB subgroups (7/18) than in the non-GCB subgroups (11.9%, 5/42). Bcl-6 mutations occurred most frequently in +363 and +469 sites. An association of bcl-6 mutation and GCB subgroup was obtained.

CONCLUSIONSThe 5' regulatory region of the bcl-6 gene underwent less frequent somatic hypermutation during lymphomagenesis than the results of previous reports. Bcl-6 mutation occurred mostly in the GCB subtype and detection of t(14;18) seems helpful in the classification of DLBCL.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; B-Lymphocytes ; pathology ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 14 ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 18 ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Germinal Center ; pathology ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; genetics ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Point Mutation ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6 ; Translocation, Genetic ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo survey the acceptance and willingness-to-pay for colorectal cancer colonoscopy screening among high risk populations in urban China.

METHODSFrom 2012 to 2013, a Cancer Screening Program in Urban China (CanSPUC) was initiated in 9 provinces, the current survey was conducted among those participants who were evaluated as "high risk for colorectal cancer" by a risk-factor-evaluation-model (community-based) and then went through a colonoscopy screening procedure (hospital-based). All the data were obtained through a questionnaire-based interview (face-to-face or self-completed), mainly focusing on the acceptance and willingness-to-pay of the participants for colorectal colonoscopy screening.

RESULTSThe current analysis included a total of 1 624 participants, with an median age of 55.0 years (P25 = 49.0, P75 = 61.0 years) and an annual income per capita of 17 thousand (range: 10-25 thousand) Chinese Yuan (CNY), 42.8% (695/1 624) of whom were males. Of all the participants, 87.0% (1 414/1 624) could totally or substantially accept the colonoscopy screening, particularly in those at higher education level (junior high school: OR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.22-0.52; high school OR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.26-0.66; college or over OR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.20-0.59). Of all the participants, 13.0% (210/1 624) could not or hardly accept it, particularly in those with older age (60-69 years) (OR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.06-2.07), not in marriage (OR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.25-3.70) or with family member(s) to raise (OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.17-2.20). 1 388 (85.5%) of all the participants had willingness-to-pay for a long-term colonoscopy screening service, particularly in those working in public (OR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.44-0.84) or enterprise sectors (OR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.38-0.94), but 82.3% (1 141/1 386) of whom would only pay less than 100 CNY; 14.5% (236/1 624) of total had no willingness-to-pay, particularly in those living in areas with moderate (OR = 4.08, 95% CI: 2.75-6.33) or high GDP per capita (OR = 3.26, 95% CI: 2.11-4.92), or with an absence of willingness-to-pay for colonoscopy screening (OR = 3.98, 95% CI: 2.81-5.65).

CONCLUSIONSAlthough a larger community-based colorectal cancer screening program was warranted to examine the extrapolation of these findings, it suggested that the acceptance for colorectal cancer colonoscopy screening among the selected high-risk populations was considerable. The willing-to-pay was relatively high but the amount of payment was limited, the indicated subgroups with potentially less acceptance or willingness need to be more focused in the future to reach a higher participation rate. The data will also be informative in integrating the screening service into the local health insurance system.

China ; Colonoscopy ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Data Collection ; Demography ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Family ; Fees and Charges ; Female ; Humans ; Income ; Insurance, Health ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Middle Aged ; Patient Acceptance of Health Care ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Urban Population

Background: Esophageal cancer is associated with substantial disease burden in China, and data on the economic burden are fundamental for setting priorities in cancer interventions. The medical expenditure for the diagnosis and treatment of esophageal cancer in China has not been fully quantified. This study aimed to examine the medical expenditure of Chinese patients with esophageal cancer and the associated trends. Methods: From 2012 to 2014, a hospital-based multicenter retrospective survey was conducted in 37 hospitals in 13 provinces/municipalities across China as a part of the Cancer Screening Program of Urban China. For each esophageal cancer patient diagnosed between 2002 and 2011, clinical information and expense data were extracted by using structured questionnaires. All expense data were reported in Chinese Yuan (CNY; 1 CNY= 0.155 USD) based on the 2011 value and inflated using the year-specific health care consumer price index for China. Results: A total of 14,967 esophageal cancer patients were included in the analysis. It was estimated that the overall average expenditure per patient was 38,666 CNY, and an average annual increase of 6.27％ was observed from 2002 (25,111 CNY) to 2011 (46,124 CNY). The average expenditures were 34,460 CNY for stage Ⅰ, 39,302 CNY for stage Ⅱ, 40,353 CNY for stage Ⅲ, and 37,432 CNY for stage IV diseases (P < 0.01). The expenditure also differed by the therapy type, which was 38,492 CNY for surgery, 27,933 CNY for radiotherapy, and 27,805 CNY for chemotherapy (P < 0.05). Drugs contributed to 45.02％ of the overall expenditure. Conclusions: These conservative estimates suggested that medical expenditures for esophageal cancer in China substantially increased in the last 10 years, treatment for early-stage esophageal cancer costs less than that for advanced cases, and spending on drugs continued to account for a considerable proportion of the overall expenditure.